The Kashmir Pulse

RAJOURI — An army porter lost his life in a mine blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri sector, according to an official statement on Wednesday evening.

The deceased, identified as Rakesh Kumar from Sarya Jhangad, fell victim to the explosion in Nowshera, as confirmed by an official quoted by a local news agency.

The official further informed that the mortal remains of the deceased have been recovered from the scene and are being transported for necessary medico-legal procedures. Subsequently, they will be handed over to the family for final rites.

POONCH — Indian Army personnel engaged a Pakistani drone near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on Wednesday, firing multiple shots to thwart its incursion, according to official sources.

Official sources quoted by a local news agency disclosed that the movement of an unidentified drone originating from across the border was detected near the Topi Post and Parvinder Post along the Line of Control in the Mendhar sector. Responding swiftly, troops stationed along the LoC discharged several rounds, compelling the drone to retreat to Pakistani territory.

The ongoing operation involves a search effort in the affected area to ensure security and ascertain any potential threats.

It is notable that the Jammu and Kashmir Police recently announced a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh for individuals providing information leading to the interception of drones deployed from across the border for illicit purposes, including the transportation of narcotics, arms, or explosives.

POONCH — Hizb-ul-Mujahideen "commander" Muneser Hussain of Poonch was killed along with his “bodyguard” along the Line of Control as the army foiled an infiltration bid in this district on Monday, officials said.

While the body of the Hizbul commander was recovered along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition, his bodyguard's body could not be retrieved as he managed to return to the other side of LoC in Degwar sector before falling on the ground, they said. “He is presumed dead.”

"The killed (militant) has been identified on the basis of police records as Muneser Hussain son of Sattar Mohammad of Bagyladra Poonch," Lt Col Suneel Bartwal PRO (Defence) Jammu said in a statement to the news agency GNS. "He was a Divisional Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)."

In 1993, he said, he went to PaK, came back in 1996 and again returned to PaK in 1998. "He has masterminded a number of attacks on SFs. As per police records, his family of two wives and children are residents of Surankote, Poonch."

Hussain was a close associate of Maulana Dawood Kashmir (TuJ) who in turn is a close associate of Syed Salahuddin (HM), he said.

"Recently a high-level meeting of the HM group took place in Islamabad which he attended. The agenda of the meeting was a revival of HM in Rajouri Poonch," he said, adding, "From this, we can make out that Muneer Hussain along with his bodyguard was sent with the agenda of reviving HM in Rajouri Poonch / South of Pir-Panjal (SPPR)."

The PRO said that Hussain was given a larger leadership role of "Tanzeems and told to revive terrorism South of Pir Panjal". Hussain, he said, was the senior leader of HM. "He is the most dreaded (militant) killed in the last 10 years in Rajouri/Poonch."

He said it was evident that Pak is trying to send old militant "veterans" to J&K to motivate and recruit youth, thus making "desperate attempts to revive" militancy.

KUPWARA — In a joint operation, Army (6-JAK RIF) and Kupwara Police successfully foiled an infiltration bid by neutralizing a militant along the Line of Control (LoC) in Amrohi area of Tangdhar Sector.

"In the early hours, based on an input about possible attempts of infiltration, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by J&K Police and Army in Dakhen Amrohi area of Tangdhar Sector Kupwara near Zero Line LoC," a police spokesperson said in a statement.

He said, "During the search operation, movement of terrorists was observed who were trying to infiltrate to our side. They were challenged by the joint party in which one terrorist was neutralized."

"Taking advantage of the thick bushes and rugged terrain, two to three other terrorists accompanying the killed terrorist escaped back to Pakistan side of LoC. From the incriminating materials recovered from the site of the encounter, it is believed that the killed terrorist is a Pakistani national," the police said.

It further said that the joint team also recovered arms and ammunition including an AK rifle, an AK magazine, 15 AK rounds, five 9mm pistols, a 15mm pistol, eight pistol magazines, 32 9mm pistol rounds and nine 15mm pistol rounds from the site of encounter.

"The recovery of these materials underscores the nefarious intentions of the infiltrators and their attempts to disrupt peace and stability in the region. Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and an investigation is in progress," it added.

SRINAGAR — Indian Army on Monday said that it eliminated two infiltrators while foiling an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

A defence spokesperson in Jammu, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal in a statement issued to the news agency KNO said that the army launched “Operation Bahadur” in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday after an attempt was made by infiltrators on the LoC in the Poonch sector.

The operation, the spokesperson said, was launched by the Indian Army along with Jammu & Kashmir Police.

“In this Operation Bahadur, two infiltrators have been eliminated,” he said, adding that the search operations are in progress.

POONCH — An army soldier was injured while three infiltrators were shot down along the Line of Control (LoC) during an encounter that broke out in Poonch forward area.

Official sources told the news agency KNO that an encounter broke out during an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control near Chakan Da Bagh area of Poonch when a group of heavily armed militants were trying to infiltrate from the Line of Control in the late evening hours on Friday while encounter lasted for several hours in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

They said that a group of militants were trying to infiltrate from the Line of Control but the attempt was thwarted by the forces in an intelligence input-based operation.

In its statement, the Army said that three infiltrators were seen falling on the Line of Control.

In Operation Resham, the statement said that army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched an intelligence-based counter-infiltration operation during which an infiltration bid was eliminated in the Krishna Ghati sector on the intervening night of June 23 and 24.

“One soldier sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated while three infiltrators running towards LoC were engaged by their own troops and seen falling down near LoC,” the army said.

JAMMU — A Pakistani intruder was killed by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the Indo-Pak international border in Samba area of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.

"In the early hours of June 1, 2023, the alert BSF troops noticed a suspicious movement of a person who crossed IB from Pakistan side in Samba area," said a Jammu-based BSF spokesperson as per the news agency KNO.

He that the individual was challenged by the troops but he kept advancing towards border fencing, forcing troops to open fire on him.

"Later, he was shot dead near the border fence by a vigilant BSF trooper," officials said.

POONCH — Three infiltrators were apprehended, one of them in an injured condition, while a huge consignment of narcotics, arms and ammunition was recovered by the army at Gulpur area on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, Defence officials said Wednesday.

A Defence official quoted by the news agency KNO said the army resorted to firing after noticing a suspicious movement along the LoC in Gulpur. “Three infiltrators were apprehended by the army. The injured one among the three has been hospitalised,” he said.

“A huge consignment of narcotics, one AK series rifle and two pistols with bullets were recovered from the apprehended persons,” he said.

Earlier, a massive combing operation was launched on the Line of Control in Gulpur area of Poonch after the army noticed a suspicious movement after which an exchange of fire took place.

“The group was challenged but they opened fire. It is believed that one of the infiltrators suffered injuries,” he said.

Meanwhile, Defence spokesman in Jammu, Lt Colonel Devender Anand said that in a joint operation by the army along with J&K Police, three to four 'terrorists' were intercepted on the Line of Control in Poonch sector while attempting to cross the fence in the night of 30-31 May 2023, taking the advantage of bad weather and heavy rains.

“After tracking the movement at about 1:30 AM, a well-sited Army ambush on challenging them was fired upon and in the retaliatory firefight, some terrorists were hit. The area is cordoned and a search operation is in progress. Blood trails have been found. Three terrorists with some weapons, war-like stores including one IED and Narco have been apprehended,” the Defence spokesman said.

He added that one soldier was injured in the ensuing firing and has been evacuated. “Search operations are in progress,” he said.

BARAMULLA — A junior commissioned officer of the Indian Army was injured as an infiltration bid was foiled along the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Saturday.

An official told the news agency KNO the army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Gowhalla sector in Uri today early morning.

He said that during the exchange of fire between militants and the army, a junior commissioned officer (JCO) was also injured. "During the exchange of fire, the Pakistan side also tried to fly a quadcopter but the alert troops fired at it and pushed it back," he said.

"The injured JCO has been evacuated to 92 base hospital in Srinagar, where his condition is said to be stable," he said and added that a massive search operation is underway in the area.

Infiltration bid Pakistan's 'desperate' attempt to disrupt G20: Indian Army

The Indian Army on Saturday said that the "failed infiltration bid by terrorists is another attempt by Pakistan" to disrupt the G20 Summit and create disturbance in the Valley.

In a statement, issued to the news agency KNO, Srinagar-based Defence spokesperson said "an infiltration bid by terrorists across the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir was foiled" by the army early morning today.

He said that "a group of armed terrorists, while attempting to cross the Line of Control, were engaged in an exchange of fire with the alert troops, resulting in a failed attempt to intrude into Kashmir Valley."

"A quadcopter flown by the Pakistan Army to aid the terrorists was also spotted across the Line of Control, and was fired at, causing it to withdraw," the statement said.

He said that this "desperate action by the terrorists, duly abetted by Pakistan Army, is yet another failed attempt to disrupt the G20 Summit" and create disturbance in the Valley.

The spokesperson said that extensive search operations are underway in the densely forested area.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday ordered the creation of 607 new posts in the J&K Police Department which are meant for 42 Border Police Posts (BPPs) that are being established in border areas, especially near Line of Control, on an emergency basis.

An order vide No. HOME-PNG/73/2022(CC-164499) for the creation of these posts was issued by the Financial Commissioner/Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Raj Kumar Goyal, as per the news agency KNO.

The order has come weeks after Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered the establishment of 42 Border Police Posts (BPPs) including the revival of some old defunct posts with site selection and area identification. Land for construction is being finalized on an emergent basis and the government has issued directions to ensure that the buildings of these Border Police Posts are completed within the shortest possible time and all the posts are made functional at the earliest.

The decision to establish these posts has been taken with the aim to strengthen the anti-infiltration grid in Jammu and Kashmir and to ensure to keep a police check towards infiltration along the Line of Control and the International Border.

In a fresh order for the creation of posts, the Home Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the creation of 607 posts of police.

These posts include 39 Sub-Inspector posts, 50 posts of Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 88 posts of Head Constables and 430 posts of Selection Grade Constables and Constables.

KUPWARA — The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army on Thursday said an infiltration attempt at the Line of Control (LoC) was foiled by the forces and “one infiltrator” was killed in the Tangdhar sector of north Kashmir on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

“Based on a specific input developed by security forces regarding infiltration attempt of militants near LoC, an ambush was put in place by Police and Army in the said area,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Yougal Manhas said while addressing reporters here, as per the news agency KNO.

“As the infiltrating militants were intercepted by the joint party of security forces, they were challenged and in return fired indiscriminately upon the joint party which was retaliated by the joint party, leading to an encounter,” he said, adding that one militant was killed in the encounter and subsequently his body along with arms and ammunitions were recovered.

The SSP further said the other militants managed to flee to the Pakistan side as the area is very close to the Line of Control (LOC).

In a statement, a Defence spokesperson said alert troops deployed in an anti-infiltration grid detected the move of three militants near the LoC fence. It reads on being challenged at close proximity to the post, an intense firefight ensued, resulting in the successful elimination of one militant and injury to the other.

“The injured managed to flee back along with the third militant, taking advantage of darkness. A thorough operation was launched along with police in the morning, resulting in the recovery of the body of the militant, one AK series rifle, one light automatic weapon, six magazines, two grenades and large quantities of war-like stores,” the army said.

SRINAGAR — The situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China is stable yet unpredictable, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Thursday, adding that India has ramped up infrastructure development along the border and deployed adequate troops and equipment deployed to deal with any contingency.

Addressing the media ahead of the Army Day on January 15, Gen Pande said both countries have been able to resolve five of the seven issues along the LAC and continue to hold talks at the military and diplomatic levels.

Talking about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the Line of Control (LoC), Gen Pande said the ceasefire agreement that Pakistan signed in February 2021 is holding well with a significant reduction noticed in violence parameters. He, however, added that cross-border support to militancy and militant infrastructure continues to remain an issue and this is more noticeable in areas south of the Pir Panjal range.

In the eastern sector, he said, there has been a slight increase in the deployment of Chinese troops, but the Indian Army soldiers, including reserves, have been adequately deployed there to take care of any situation.

Gen Pande said, in the same context, Indian soldiers deployed along the LAC have been able to prevent any attempts by the adversary to unilaterally change the status quo. He added the Indian Army is closely watching the situation in Doklam and monitoring Chinese activities there.

The Indian Army chief also emphasized the infrastructure development carried out by India along the LAC comprising roads, bridges, tunnels as well as heated shelters and habitats for its troops. He said Rs 1,300 crore has been spent on building infrastructure, including habitat, in eastern Ladakh in recent months.

SAMBA — District Magistrate Samba, in the exercise of the powers vested under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, has ordered that no person/group of persons, shall move into the areas up to 1 km along the International Border (IB) in the district Samba from 2100 hrs to 0600 hrs (9:00 PM to 6:00 AM during the night).

"In case the movement is necessary, the person/persons are required to produce their respective ID Cards to BSF/Police authorities," the order said.

It added, "Any person found violating the order shall be dealt with, in accordance with the law. Since it is not possible to serve the order individually, it is being issued ex-parte."

The order further said, "This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of two months from the date of its issuance, if not withdrawn/rescinded earlier."

BARAMULLA — With Indo-Pak armies maintaining ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC), at least 250 marriages have taken place in border villages of Kashmir, bringing back the old memories of weddings in their own houses instead of moving the events to safer places outside the villages.

Tentative figures available with the news agency KNO said that at least 250 marriage ceremonies have taken place this year so far in Keran, Machil, Bangus, Tangdhar, Gurez, and Uri area along the LoC in north Kashmir.

Locals said that they are happy to witness such celebrations after a very long time. "Earlier, we used to stay indoors for days together due to intense shelling from across the border but now people are participating in marriages on a large scale without anyone fear," Iqra Khan, a newly-wed girl from Gurez, said.

Similarly at Uri, Nowreen, another recently married girl, said that the ceasefire violation had become routine earlier, making the lives of the people along the border miserable but for the last two years, marriages are taking place here with great enthusiasm while people are living a life of peace and order.

"About five weddings have taken place in our settlement recently and a large gathering of people attended these weddings which were never seen before," Mushtaq Ahmad, a local from Karnah, said. He said that the memory of those who lost their lives during the shelling in the past will always remain and haunt us.

"Earlier, I had seen many times that some weddings turned into mourning when there was shelling on the borders here," said Nuzhat Khan, another girl from the Machil area.

On February 2021, India and Pakistan announced that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

KUPWARA — Security forces gunned down two militants near the Line of Control (LoC) in Tekri Nar area of Machil in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Sunday, J&K Police said here.

The police said that identification of the killed militants is being ascertained while two AK-47 rifles, two pistols and four hand grenades were recovered.

"Army and Kupwara Police neutralised two terrorists near LoC Tekri Nar in Machil area of Kupwara. The identification of the killed terrorists is being ascertained. Two AK-47 rifles, two pistols and four hand grenades were recovered. Further details shall follow," a police spokesperson said in a tweet on Kashmir Police Zone handle.

SRINAGAR — Two infiltrators were killed after an infiltration attempt was foiled in the Nowshera region between Monday and Tuesday night.

According to the Army officials, Army troops deployed near the LoC noticed some suspicious movement last night and opened fire. In the incident, two infiltrators were killed and their bodies are lying near the fence, while attempts are being made to recover them.

A defence ministry spokesman, Lt. Colonel Devender Anand said, “The reconnaissance of the general area of attempted infiltration site is in progress. In reconnaissance by Quadcopter, two bodies of infiltrators have been observed. Area is being scanned further.”

The infiltration bid was foiled in the Lam area of LoC’s Nowshera sector in Rajouri district.

POONCH — An Indian Army Captain and a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) were killed while four others were injured in an accidental grenade blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of the Jammu region, officials said on Monday.

An official, as per news agency Kashmir News Service, said that the incident took place late last night when troops were performing their duties along the LoC in the Mendhar sector.

He said that the blast resulted in injuries to six soldiers who were immediately evacuated by helicopter to the Army's command Udhampur hospital for treatment. "However, two soldiers succumbed to their injuries during treatment," the official said.

He said that the deceased have been identified as Captain Anand and Naib Subedar Bhagwan Singh. "A Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the matter," he added.